Amusement apparatus.



Nd. 800,886. I PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

G. L. MILLIGAN.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILBD NOV. 10,1904.

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No. 800,386. I I I PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1 905.

0. L. M-ILLIGAN.

- AMUSEMENT APPARATUS. AZPPLIOATION FILED Nov.1o,1eo4.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' Coney Island, in the county of Kings and State 1 of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improve-- ments in amusement apparatus, the construction and advantages of which will be hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the an- UNITED STATES PAT NT oriiion.

' CHARLES L. MILLIGAN, OF CONEY ISLAND, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented se tfee, 1905.

Application filed November 10, 1904. I Serial No. 232,169.

To all whom it may concern/.

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. MILLIGAN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at 'neXed drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view thereof,

and Fig. 2 a transverse sectional View on the I line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

novel apparatus which in general outline has theform of a top and to all outward appearances resembles one. The apparatus is so constructed that persons may pass into the interior thereof and onto a fixed platform, which rotates with the main body, or onto a second- 1 ary platform, which is mounted upon tracks and rotates with or'in adirection opposite to the rotation of the. main body;

With the apparatus thus briefly outlined highly illusionary eifects maybe producedby in cross-braces C, connectedto uprights or framing D. The lower end of the shaft has secured to it a block or casting E, having sprocket-teeth F formed thereon, the teeth being engaged by a driving-chain G, to which motion is imparted by any suitable engine. A second block or collar H is secured to the shaft just beneath block or casting E, and,

suitable conical rolls I are supported between said blocks and 'run upon a circular track J. The latter is mounted upon and secured to the foundation plate or member K, which is like- A platform R is securely fastened to the arms N and to the outer framework or shell S of the apparatus.

and will by preference be made of angle-iron,

light material, such as papier-mach, or, if desired, sheet metal. A secondary or movable'platform T, circular .in form, is mounted upon the platform R or on tracks U, placed uponthe upper face of said platform B.

An electric motor or series of motors V will be employed to impart travel to the movable platform T, the motors being reversible, so

that the platform maybe moved in one or theother direction, as desired.

As will be seen upon reference to Fig. 1, a suitable bearing will be formed for the plat- As before stated, thisv framework is given the general shape of a top The ob ect of theinvention is to provide a .as indicated, bent to form and covered with a 1 form T about the central shaft A in order that the platform may not under any circumstances jump the tracks upon which it is mounted. Any form of bearing between the platform and shaft may be employed, and any form of motor or gearing may be used for imparting motion to the movable platform.

An electric motor, however, is advantageous tends completelyaround the main platform, I with the exception of a break, as indicated in Fig. 2, where steps a lead up to the platform from the main level or entrance platform 6. An escalator or stairway 0 leads to the platform 6, and a door or opening (Z is formed in i the platform R adjacent to said platform 6,

providing an entrance to a stairway 6, leading down into the body of the top to a fixed platform f.

Pendulous rods g extend downwardly from arms N, the rods being provided with seats lb, which may be of any desired form. When the top is in motion, the seats will have a tendency to swing outwardly, owing to centrifugal action.

In order to stiffen the parts, braces i are interposed between the arms N and shaft A, and a guard or shield 3' extends upwardly from the platform f around the braces. This gives a neater finish to the interior and affords surface upon which any suitable display may be made.

As will be readily appreciated, the top will be steady in its movement, the shaft A being supported both at its lower and at its upper end and the framework as a whole being steadied by the wheels 0 passing over the endless track P. Said wheels O likewise serve to relieve the lower bearing of agreater or less amount of weight and strain and prevent the device from tipping or tilting outwardly should the upper or lower bearing become defective.

The outer surface of the top will preferably be provided with a series of electric lights placed in such a manner as to simulate a cord wound about the same.

A musical instrument (indicated at Z, Fig. 1) will be placed within the lower portion of the top and so arranged as to be brought into action as the latter begins to rotate. Any means for rotating the apparatus may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suitable supportingframework; a shaft centrally disposed therein; means for rotating said shaft; a shell secured to and movable with said shaft; arms extending radially from the shaft; a circular track supported by the frame in line with the ends of said arms; wheels mounted upon the arms and bearing upon the track; a platform secured to the arms; a second platform movably mounted upon the first platform; and means for'driving said second platform independently of the first platform, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a rotatable hollow body; means for rotating the same; a fixed platform mounted within the body; a second platform movable upon the first platform; and means for driving said movable platform independently of any movement of the body.

3. In combination with avertically-disposed shaft; means for driving the same; a shell carried by said shaft; a fixed platform mounted within the shell; a -movable platform mounted upon the fixed platform and extending around the vertical shaft; and means for driving or moving said second platform independently of any movement of the shell.

4. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a vertically-disposcd shaft: means for driving the same; a shell having the general form of a top carried by and movable with said shaft; a fixed platform mounted within the shell; a movable platform mounted upon the fixed platform and rotatable about the shaft; and means for driving or propelling said movable platform.

5. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a vertically-disposed shaft; means for driving the same; arms extending outwardly from said shaft; a track; wheels carried by the arms and running upon said track; a shell supported by and movable with the shaft; said shell having the general form of a top; a fixed platform within the shell; a movable platform mounted upon said fixed platform and rotatable about the shaft; and means for propelling said movable platform.

6. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a vertically-disposed shaft; means for imparting rotary movement thereto; a shell secured to and rotatable with the shaft, said shell having the general form of a top; a fixed platform mounted within the shell; a second fixed platform also mounted within the shell at a point below the first platform; a movable platform mounted upon the upper fixed platform, said platform encircling the shaft; and means for driving said movable platform.

7. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a centrally-disposed shaft; means for driving the same; a shell carried by the shaft, said shell having the general form of a top; a fixed platform mounted within the shell at a point approximately in line with its greatest diameter; a second platform located within the shell at a point below the first platform; a stairway leading from the lower to the upper platform; a series of-cireular tracks mounted upon the upper platform; a platform mounted upon and movable over said tracks; and means for imparting rotation to said movable platform in one or the other direction.

8. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a suitable framing; a platform 6 mounted thereon and secured thereto; an escalator leading to said platform; a shaft centrally disposed within the framing; means for imparting motion to said shaft; .a shell carried by and rotatable with the shaft, said shell having the general form of a top; a platform R mounted within the shell and rotatable therewith; a second platformflocated within the lower portion of the shell; a stairway leading from. said lower platform; an

opening formed in the platform R; a series of tracks mounted upon said platform;v a movable platform mounted upon said tracks, said.

platform being substantially circular in form and rotatable about the central shaft; and

means for rotating said movable platform in one or the other direction, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name 7 to this specificatlon 1n the presence of two sub- 9 scribing Witnesses.

CHARLES L. MILLIGAN.

Witnesses: HORACE A. DODGE, FANNIE WISE. 

